Animal Abuse: 81 pit bulls, many reptiles seized - Knightdale, NC

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Case ID: 685

Classification: Fighting

Animal: dog (pit-bull), reptile

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Case #685 Rating: 4.0 out of 5

81 pit bulls, many reptiles seized
Knightdale, NC (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jan 3, 2002
County: Durham

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Samson G. Pruitt

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A man accused of running a dog fighting ring in Wake County made his first court appearance on 2/11/01.

Samson Pruitt has been charged with several crimes, including cruelty to animals and dog fighting - both felonies. A Wake County sheriff's deputy planned to evict Pruitt at a house on Smithfield and Poole roads when he discovered the dogs. Authorities found 81 pit bulls, mostly puppies, and a treadmill used for dog fighting in Pruitt's house. Authorities also found 11 snakes, some of which are poisonous, in the house, as well as a baby crocodile. Bags of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia were also discovered there.

Authorities arrested Pruitt and charged him with animal cruelty. Authorities said Pruitt was arrested for dog fighting three years ago in Orange County. He spent a year in jail for that crime. Pruitt is in jail on $25,000 bond.

Case Updates

A dog breeder will spend most of his weekends in jail as punishment for felony charges related to a large dogfighting ring.

Samson G. Pruitt (30) was sentenced in Wake County Superior Court on 27/1/03 two weekends in jail and three years' supervised probation. He pleaded guilty to felony dogfighting and cruelty to animals after 81 pit bulls were removed from his house. Pruitt's sentence also covered his guilty pleas to charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling a controlled substance. Pruitt is not allowed to breed or board any dogs except three older family pets.

Pruitt, who lived in Knightdale in Wake County at the time of his arrest, has moved to Durham Count

Update posted on Nov 21, 2006 - 12:26AM

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References

animaladvocacy.net

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81 pit bulls, many reptiles seizedKnightdale, NC (US)

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81 pit bulls, many reptiles seized
Knightdale, NC (US)